Small PA Mixer Questions

[firstbassman]

This is a “live sound” question and not a “Recording” question. But this is the closest forum I can find.

If I ever get my ‘act together’ (pun intended) I will have (somewhat) outgrown my current PA mixer.

I currently own two PA speakers and a floor monitor (all passive) and all around 75 watts RMS at 8ohms which I would all like to keep and not have to replace if possible.

I’d like to keep this to just getting a new mixer … the main reason being that my current mixer only has two speaker outputs and no way to connect the floor monitor.

I thought this would be an easy situation to solve but apparently not.

Here is what I think I understand:

1. Passive speakers can be connected to powered mixers.

2. In order to connect passive speakers to (much less expensive) analog mixers, I have to go through the additional expense of getting an amplifier.

Correct?

The smallest powered mixers I can find seem to have (just like my current one) only two RCA speaker connections and no floor monitor connections.

The ones I have found that have a “Monitor Out” I’m told need an outside amplifier to drive that line. Well, if I’m going to have to buy an additional amplifier (which I’m told goes for at least $400) then I might as well just get an analog mixer! This makes no sense to me.

So, does anyone know what the least expensive solution is to get a small club mixer that has RCA connectors for at least three passive speakers?

And, by the way, I’d much prefer (if possible) a mixer that is flat (like a studio console) instead of one that is like a front-facing amplifier. It would be much easier to just look down to use it stead of having to bend all the way over and peer sideways.

Thanks.

[jps]

To my knowledge there are no powered console style mixers with more than two channels of amplification. So you would need addition power amps for the monitors. I have an Allen & Heath PA12 mixer (also available in 20 and 28 channels) that has two individual outputs for monitors on 1/4" jacks in addition to two main outs that go to both 1/4" jacks and XLR connectors. The PA12 is quite comprehensive for it's very modest price. A&H makes a powered version if you want that type of mixer, the PA12CP. I would suggest you check out RMC Audio for the best price on anything you are looking for. When you go to the A&H website click on Small Format Live Sound near the top of the page to find this mixer. While there check out the other mixer series they make, you might find some other possible solutions for your needs. A&H are top quality mixers for very sane prices, just about every decent sound company uses their consoles all the way up to the biggest arena shows.

[jps]

BTW, you do not want this kind of gear hooked up with RCA connectors.

[firstbassman]

BTW, you do not want this kind of gear hooked up with RCA connectors.

Actually, I said I did.

But what I really meant was 1/4 connections.

[jps]

[firstbassman]

Thanks Jeff for the info!

A&H makes a powered version if you want that type of mixer, the PA12CP.

$1,000! Yikes. Much more than I wanted to spend. I was hoping to keep this under $300 if possible.

[jps]

Are you talking $300 including power amps for the mains and monitors?

[firstbassman]

Are you talking $300 including power amps for the mains and monitors?

I'm talking $300 to get sound out of two PA speakers and an angled floor monitor.

[jps]

That's not much to work with.

[firstbassman]

Yup, but Yamaha, Carvin and Behringer all have powered mixers for around $350-$380.

So, they're in the ballpark.

Was just wondering if there were any solutions for a little less.

[bigbajo60]

Budgetary constraints would seem to point you in the direction of Ye Olde eBay...

I entered "Powered Mixer" in the eBay search box and found lots of stuff like this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Moses-MPX898-8-CH-C ... dZViewItem

...just remember that it's a bit more of a risk than just buying a known "brand-name" mixer from your local GC! In other words... Buyer Beware!